What is the usual management for flexible metatarsus adductus in infants?

What is the usual management for flexible metatarsus adductus in infants?

• A. Requires surgical correction
• B. Usually resolves spontaneously by 1 year
• C. Serious risk of long-term disability without treatment
• D. Rigid in all cases and requires casting

Answer: (B)

Flexible metatarsus adductus in infants is a self-limited condition that usually improves without intervention. In this flexible form, the forefoot can be gently realigned toward neutral with passive manipulation, and many children outgrow the inward toeing as their arches develop and gait matures. Because of this natural history, the common approach is watchful waiting with reassurance to parents, since most cases resolve by about one year of age (often earlier). Casting or surgical correction is reserved for the rigid form, where the deformity cannot be corrected with passive manipulation, or for cases that persist beyond the early infancy period despite observation and conservative measures. The situation does not typically carry a risk of long-term disability if managed with appropriate observation.

Flexible metatarsus adductus in infants is a self-limited condition that usually improves without intervention. In this flexible form, the forefoot can be gently realigned toward neutral with passive manipulation, and many children outgrow the inward toeing as their arches develop and gait matures. Because of this natural history, the common approach is watchful waiting with reassurance to parents, since most cases resolve by about one year of age (often earlier).

Casting or surgical correction is reserved for the rigid form, where the deformity cannot be corrected with passive manipulation, or for cases that persist beyond the early infancy period despite observation and conservative measures. The situation does not typically carry a risk of long-term disability if managed with appropriate observation.